Vigreux Freres

Champagne Jean-Marc Vigreux-Frère is based in Cauroy-lès-Hermonville, 15 km from Reims, in the heart of the Massif de Saint-Thierry wine region. The Massif is the northernmost part of Champagne and is planted mainly with the black grape varieties Pinot Noir and Meunier.

Family and way of working

This is a family estate, now in its second and third generation. In 1981 Jean-Marc Vigreux began working the vines planted by his father Bernard. As for the year the house launched its own label, the website gives different dates: the home page says 1985, the family page says 1995. Jean-Marc is now gradually handing over to two of his three children, Dimitri and Anne-Laure. Dimitri runs the estate together with his father and is in charge of the cellar.

The house works as a "récoltant-coopérateur". The family tends the vineyards and picks the grapes, and the cooperative helps with the production of the champagne. The estate also states that it holds dual certification: Haute Valeur Environnementale and Viticulture Durable en Champagne. We could not verify any figure for the vineyard area.

The cuvées

The Brut is the core of the range. At the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2022 it won the Grande Médaille d'or. According to the competition entry, it is made up of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. The range also includes a Demi-Sec and a Rosé, plus three specialities:

• Premier Cru: a blend of several Premier Cru sites, with Pinot Noir dominant, aged five years on the lees
• Blanc de Blancs: 100% Chardonnay
• Grande Réserve: with a high proportion of Chardonnay and good ageing potential

Visits and tastings

The family welcomes guests right in the vineyard and in the cellar. Visits last 1.5 hours, tasting included. There are three formats to choose from: "Découverte" with the Brut for 20 euros, "Balade Rosé" with Brut and Rosé for 25 euros, and "Visite Prestige" with the Premier Cru and a vintage Blanc de Blancs for 35 euros. Children are offered soft drinks and games. Groups of up to 30 people are possible. It is wise to book ahead: telephone +33 3 26 61 55 87.